Things to do around Johannesburg

Johannesburg often loses out on tourism to its better known neighbour Cape Town, but as South Africa's richest city you can be sure there's plenty to keep you occupied on a trip to Johannesburg - and lots of reasons to extend your stay if you're arriving on a connecting flight.



The city is perhaps best known by tourists for its museums, which cover many aspects of South Africa's unique and often turbulent history. This applies to the Apartheid Museum particularly, which documents the long and bloody story of racial segregation that divided the nation between 1948 and 1994. The Hector Pierson Museum can offer more thought-provoking experiences still, as it's dedicated to the pivotal Anti-Afrikaan Soweto uprising, and built near the site of Pierson's assassination.



A more comprehensive overview of the country and indeed the African continent as a whole can be gained at Museum Africa, which was originally opened in 1933. If you're more interested in art than history though, Johannesburg is well supplied in this area too - especially at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which collects works from all over the world, including an impressive selection of European paintings. Those keen to explore South Africa's artistic traditions will also find many local artworks in the building's fifteen galleries, from the past to the present day, while even the building itself is a notable work of art due to its eye-catching architectural design.

You can take your exploration of contemporary Johannesburg culture further with a visit to the Market Theater, where performances are staged in many artistic disciplines - from music and dance to theatre shows. The building played an important part in the bridging of black and white cultures in the 1980s, as one of the few places in the city where different ethnic groups were invited to meet and collaborate openly before Apartheid was lifted.



If you're staying at your hotel Johannesburg with children, there are lots of places to take younger visitors and keep them entertained too - including the excellent amusement park Gold Reef City, which is located nearby and based on a 19th century mining theme. Those with an interest in history can enjoy visiting the site, which is built on top of a disused gold mine, while the high-octane rides are sure to thrill even the most experienced rider – for instance, the Anaconda, is famous for being the world's first inverted rollercoaster.



Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.